Winner Announced!

The winner of our Parade of Homes contest is…   Linda Houston

Aggie100 Winners

This is the Press Release that was sent out last weekend:

Luxury home builder, Jenkins Custom Homes, was honored today as the 6th fastest-growing Aggie-owned business in the world, with an average compound growth rate of 94.13%!  The luxury home builder was recognized at the seventh annual Aggie 100 program, sponsored by Mays Business School’s Center for New Ventures and Entrepreneurship at Texas A&M University. The Aggie 100 focuses on growth as an indicator of job creation, product acceptance and entrepreneurial vision. Recipients of the award were selected based on verified compound annual revenue growth for the 2008 to 2010 period. In addition to this honor, Jenkins was also recognized as one of only three companies which have been named in the Aggie 100 for five out of the last seven years since the program has been in existence.  This is the longest sustained growth of any Aggie100 recipient.

Nearly seven hundred people attended the awards luncheon in The Zone Club at Texas A&M’s Kyle Field. Texas A&M University Women’s Basketball Coach, Gary Blair, presented the keynote address at the luncheon. After leading the Aggie Women to a 2010 NCAA National Championship, it was only fitting that he inspire the group of entrepreneurs by sharing his thoughts on true leadership. Kelsey Assarian, a member of the winning basketball team, sat at the table with Shan & Bethany Jenkins, along with Porter Garner, CEO of the Association of Former Students, and other distinguished faculty.

Earlier that morning, Jenkins had breakfast with the Dean of the College of Architecture, along with the Department Heads, which include the Department of Construction Science, Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Urban

Planning, and the Department of Visualization. After breakfast, Jenkins was given a personal tour of some of the technology being used to design homes and commercial buildings in the Department of Architecture.  One such technology, called the “BIM Cave” (Building Information Modeling Cave), surrounds students with display screens which allow them to be immersed in the design from multiple sides.  Such technology allows aspiring architects to envision spaces within the home or commercial structure during the design process, a very useful technology which could be used to assist the luxury home builder’s clients as well.

This year’s Aggie 100 companies posted an average compound growth rate of 41 percent. The complete list can be found at aggie100.com. The Top 10 Aggie 100 companies include:

“Since the founding of Texas A&M University, Aggies have been leaving a legacy across all businesses and industries,” said Dr. Richard H. Lester, Executive Director of Mays Business School’s Center for New Ventures and Entrepreneurship. “Over the last seven years, the Aggie 100 companies have continuously proven that even in tough economic times, solid business ideas and hard work pay off.”

To be considered, companies (corporations, partnerships, sole proprietorships) must operate in a manner consistent with the Aggie Code of Honor and in keeping with the values and image of Texas A&M.  After receiving the award five out of the last seven years, Jenkins Custom Homes is a shining example of the legacy of leadership.

Austin Named 2nd Best City to Find a Job

Our friends at Realty Austin, an Austin real estate agency, provided this blog post.

Custom home building projects continue to pop up all over town, thanks to Austin’s strong economic growth. In fact, in an article by the Austin Business Journal, an employment agency proclaimed Austin is the 2nd best place to find a job. The report looked at statistical analysis and national employment trends including unemployment rate, industry variance, and skilled labor supply, according to US Department of Labor and Statistics. Austin placed 2nd among the list with a low and steady unemployment rate, good balance of industries, and healthy educated workforce.

Austin’s strong job market is strengthened by government, education and technology industries. With both private and public sectors having healthy and thriving job markets, Austin will always have a diverse portfolio of jobs.

The population growth of Austin has been steadily rising since 2007, and is set to continue growing through 2012. Here’s a graph of population growth and a 2011-2012 forecast provided by Angelou Economics:

Angelou Economics also provides this Job Creation Forecast:

Austin’s job market is no newbie to “Best of Austin” lists. From 2009-2010, Austin appeared regularly in reports revealing the best job markets in the nation. Click the link to see all of Austin’s past and current titles including Smartest City, Best College Town, and Strongest Job Market in America.

Book Of Lists Ranks Jenkins in Top 5!

The Custom Homebuilders List, released each year by the Austin Business Journal, is hitting the streets (and coffee tables), naming Jenkins Custom Homes #5 on the list of top builders in Austin for 2010! The 2010 Book of Lists, previously unpublished, is now available to everyone.

Moving up from #9 in 2009, this is an honor that highlights the growth of Jenkins’ business. The Journal ranks Custom Home Builders by size, and Jenkins has been shooting to the top the past 5 years. In a market where most home builders are shrinking, Jenkins has gone from #23 on the list just five years ago to #5 in 2010.

When asked if Jenkins aspires to be #1, Shan Jenkins says, “Not necessarily – we strive to provide superior quality and service in our market, and if we continue to grow it will only be a by-product of our company mission and core values. In fact, with our focus on quality and service, we may choose not to build certain projects in order to maintain our reputation for excellence”.

The Austin Business Journal is the primary source for news and pro-business information in the Austin and surrounding areas. Jenkins Custom Homes is pleased to be associated with the Austin Business Journal.

Jenkins Places Among The Top Aggie 100

Congratulations to our own Jenkins Custom Homes for their selection as one of the top 100 fastest-growing Aggie-owned or Aggie-led businesses in the world! They will be recognized October 22 at the sixth annual Aggie 100 program, sponsored by Mays Business School’s Center for New Ventures and Entrepreneurship at Texas A&M University. The Aggie 100 focuses on growth as an indicator of job creation, product acceptance and entrepreneurial vision. Recipients of the award were selected based on compound annual revenue growth rate for the 2007 to 2009 period. In all, companies from six states and three countries will be honored at the event.

More than 450 representatives and guests of honored companies have been invited to the A&M campus for the event. Six hundred people are expected to attend the luncheon in The Zone Club at Texas A&M’s Kyle Field, including approximately 100 current students. A&M President Bowen Loftin will present the keynote address at the luncheon.

To be considered, companies (corporations, partnerships, sole proprietorships) must operate in a manner consistent with the Aggie Code of Honor and in keeping with the values and image of Texas A&M.

For more information

To find out more about the Aggie 100 program, visit Aggie100.com or contact Ashley Crane, assistant director of the Center for New Ventures and Entrepreneurship at (979) 845-4882 or aggie100@tamu.edu.

J.D. Power Ranks Wolf #1!

As one of their preferred trade partners, we at Jenkins Custom Homes want to congratulate Wolf Appliance for taking top honors in the J.D. Power and Associates rankings for Range/Cooktop/Oven!

The press release states that “The Kitchen Appliance Satisfaction Study measures customer satisfaction in three product categories: dishwashers; refrigerators; and cooktops/ranges/ovens. Customer satisfaction is measured based on performance in six factors: performance and reliability (including how well the appliance functions, noise level and energy efficiency); features (such as the number of settings available and appliance capacity); ease of use; styling and feel; price; and warranty…Among manufacturers of cooktops, ranges, and ovens, Wolf ranks highest with a score of 812, and performs particularly well in five of six factors: ease of use; performance and reliability; styling and feel; features; and warranty.” Congratulations, Wolf!